Now that the Celtics have ended their improbable quest for an 18th championship, perhaps it is fitting to use this space to honor this remarkable organization, one that happened to be a key psychic contributor during my coming of age years. My father would take me to watch the Celtics beginning in early 1957, Bill Russell's rookie year. The NBA was anything but a thriving concern in those days, especially in Boston where the Bruins dominated the winter sporting scene. I can still remember Sam taking me to NBA doubleheaders at the old Garden during which I'd see maybe a Syracuse vs. Rochester first game followed by a Celtics vs. Philadelphia second game. With eight teams in places like Ft. Wayne and no teams west of the Mississippi, the NBA was nothing like the glamor league we see today. The teams were overwhelmingly white and the style of play could best be described as lumbering.
Everything changed when Russell and Auerbach got together. Auerbach realized that the easiest shot in basketball is a layup; the easiest way to get a layup is to beat the other team down the court; the easiest way to beat the other team down the court is to get the rebound from their missed shot and put the ball quickly into the hands of a brilliant passer like Bob Cousy who could orchestrate the perfect play to yield said layup.
From the beginning of 1957 until the end of 1969, basically during my entire childhood and adolescence, this simple formula brought 11 championships to Boston. How could anybody who came of age in Boston during that time not have been affected by that?
Russell was the constant factor, even coaching the team to its memorable 1969 victory over the hated Lakers. While Cousy had been replaced by KC Jones, Sharman by Sam Jones, Ramsey by John Havilcek, and Heinsohn by Don Nelson, the Celtics still demonstrated the selfless dedication to teamwork necessary for success in basketball. Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor were never fortunate enough to play under such a system.
The Celtics' success went far beyond wins, losses, and even championships. There was an important sociological aspect to this remarkable franchise. The Celtics were among the first teams to sign an African-American player, Chuck Cooper. They were THE first team to start five African-American players (Russell, Satch Sanders, Willie Naulls, Sam and KC Jones), and I believe they were the first team to have racially mixed roommate assignments on the road. A lot of this progressive attitude had to do with the owner, Walter Brown, and the coach, Red Auerbach, both of whom cared much more about winning than they did about the racial mores of the time.
To a kid who wanted very much to believe in racial equality and the American ideal of fairness of opportunity, the Celtics provided a real life example of how the races can work together toward a common goal. I have no idea what the off the court racial attitudes of the players were. I imagine they were a mixed bag, mirroring the rest of society. All I knew was that a group of white and African-American athletes seemed to enjoy playing basketball together and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them win.
The Celtics made me very proud to have come from Boston.
Much more so than cod or beans.
There have been four Celtic championship "eras" spanning the 55 years from 1957 to the present: The Russell era was of course the most impressive, both in terms of championships and in the respect due to that era's namesake. Bill Russell stands at the very top of my personal sporting Olympus. He shares that spot with Number 9 himself. Both men had their warts to be sure, but you would have to look long and hard to find someone of more intelligence, integrity, and heart than Bill Russell. And that legendary cackle to let you know that in the end, it's all just a game.
The second era could be dubbed the Cowens era, although Havilcek, Jo Jo White, and Paul Silas were major contributors. Cowens' indomitable spirit and incredible hustle (imagine a 6'8" Dustin Pedroia) allowed him to do battle with centers like Jabbar who towered over him. Ada and I were fortunate enough to have been in attendance at the ratty old Garden for the famous 1976 triple-overtime playoff game against Phoenix, which remains my personal sporting eyewitness highlight.
Next came the original Big Three Era of Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale. It was during this era that our boys, Josh and Matt, became big Celtics fans, mesmerized by the Celtics' selfless dedication to team goals just as I was 30 years earlier. By this time players like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan had turned professional basketball from some kind of niche sport into big business, where it remains today. I'll never forget the time the Celtics were involved in yet another playoff game against their hated rivals, the 76ers. Our family was huddled downstairs in what we used to call "The Blue Room" watching the contest. The Celtics were way behind and the blue room was very blue indeed. Then, as they had done so many times in the past, the Celtics began to claw their way back into the game. They had come almost all the way back when Matthew, who was probably about 10 at the time, got out of his seat to go upstairs to the bathroom.
"What the heck are you doing?" I asked.
"I have to go," poor Matty said.
"Hold it," I commanded.
"But, I have to..."
"You can't leave your seat during a comeback. I'm sorry but that's the way it is."
And he sat back down and held it.
And of course the Celtics won.
I'm not proud of that little true family anecdote, but, now maybe you understand what kind of hold the Celtics have had on me and my family.
Of course today we find ourselves at the end of the fourth Celtics era, also named after a latter day version of the Big Three: Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. Ironically it has been the fourth member of this big three, Rajon Rondo, who has been just as responsible for their success. Age, injury, and the athleticism and heart of Lebron James caught up with this group last night, bringing this era to an end. It was gratifying to watch the Celtics' fans cheer this team after a loss the other night, sensing it would be their last chance to pay their respects.
And it was especially gratifying to get a call last week from another Sam Getman, age 12, who was excited to cheer with his grandfather in Florida as the Celtics were making yet another run.
Four generations, two Sams, one very special team.
Ain't life grand?
J
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